Pocono police arrest teens on drug charges

Three teenagers riding in a car sporting a "Support Law Enforcement" tag were arrested Saturday morning after police say they found drugs and a stolen handgun in the car.

Joseph Morales, 18, Estebon Fernandez, 19, and a 16-year-old boy, all of Pocono Summit, were charged with delivery of marijuana, criminal conspiracy and related drug-dealing offenses.

A firearms charge is pending until further investigation is completed.

Police said officers stopped the car shortly after 9 a.m. on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, for several traffic violations.

After the teenagers consented to a search, a Pocono Regional police dog alerted the officers to the backseat. Police found a hidden compartment containing three large bags of suspected marijuana.. There was also a digital scale in a compact disc case, according to police.

Police found 20 gauge shotgun shells, a "side kick" holster and $795 on Morales. The juvenile had $1,686 on him. Fernandez had $21, police said.

After obtaining a search warrant, police found a loaded 9mm handgun, a box of ammunition with nearly 100 rounds. The handgun had the serial numbers filed off of it, police said.

None of the teenagers were are legally able to have firearms because of their ages.

Morales and Fernandez are in Monroe County Correctional Facility pending arraignment. The juvenile was placed in juvenile detention center and is awaiting a hearing before Monroe County Court.